Sorting conveyors, especially for postal systems



Feb. 8, 1966 T. B. ATANASOFF ETAL 3233720 SORTING CONVEYORS, ESPECIALLY FR POSTAL SYSTEMS 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 19, 1963 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Feb 8, 1966 r. B. ATANASOFF ETAL ESPECIALLY FOR POSTAL SYSTEMS SOR'IING CONVEYORS 10 Sheecs-Sheet 5 Filed June 19, 1963 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Feb. 8, 1966 T. B. ATANASOFF ETAL 3233720 SORTING CONVEYORS, ESPECIALLY FOR POSTAL SYSTEMS 10 Sheecs-Sheec 4 Filed June 19, 1963 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 1966 T. B. ATANASOFF ETAL 3233720 SORT G RS E GI ALLY FOR POSTAL SYSTEMS Filed June l9 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Feb. 8, 1966 T. B. ATANASOFF ETAL 3233720 SORTING CONVEYORS, ESPECIALLY FR POSTAL SYSTEMS 10 Shees-Sheet 6 Filed June 19, 1963 INVENTOR.

Feb. 8, 1966 SORTING CONVEYORS, ESPEGIALLY FOR POSTAL SYSTEMS Filed June l9, 1963 10 Sheecs-Sheec 8 ATTORNEY Feb. 8, 1966 r. B. ATANASOFF ET-AL 3233720 SORTING CONVEYORS, ESPECIALLY FR POSTAL SYSTEMS Filed June 19, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 l 5 6 2 0c+ 0G- 2 3 yl:q /8 "3 4 ATTORN'EY 1955 T. B. ATANASOFF ETAL 3233720 SORTING CONVEYORS, ESPECIALLY FOR POSTAL SYSTEMS ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofll1ce 3,233720 SORTING CNVEYRS, ESPECIALLY FR PGSTAL SYSTEMS Theodore B. Atanasofi, Fretlerick, Stanley W. Kerlrering, Rockvillle, and Garden L. Morgret, Middletown, Mai, assiguors t Aerojet-Gcneral Corporaliiou, Eli Monte,

' Filed Juue 19, 1963,Ser.N0.288,928

17 cum. (Cl. 19s3s This invention relates to sorting conveyors cf the type whereon bulk -mail postal sacks, o1 parcel post packages, parcels, etc., are placed and discharged along the length of the conveyor in accordance with particular destinations; for example, states, cities, etc., to which such iterns are to be forwarded. The discharge at various stations along the length of the conveyor is under control of a programming systern wherein one or more operators press the keys of respective keyboards in accordance With a ccrtain destination code for each of the items thus placed on the conveyor. The conveyor may consist of a coutinuously moving belt or other type of conveyance, and the instrumentalities for removing items at predetermined points along the length of such belt have heretofore cansisted of swinging addles or other mechanisrns which became operative at respective stations, depending on whether or not an item is to be rernoved, that is, diverted at such stations.

In general, many systerns have been devised, particularly for use in large post olfices, for automatic sorting of bulk mail or parcels in the manner generally described above.

The present invention constitutes an improvement, specifically, in prior art systems which have heretofore bcen limited to the handling of fairly regularly shaped objects, and objects of 110 greater than a particular size. Pur ther, such prior art systems have, in operation, alforded damaging shock or impact to packages being diverted and were, therefore, inappropriate for fragile parcels. A further drawback of prior art systems is the waste in tirnc occasioned by the fact that parcels were allocated the sarne amount of linear space on the conveying instrumentality, f01' exarnple a halt, regardless of the actual length of such parcels. Thus, in a system of the conventional prior art, all parcels may be required to be placcd on fivefoot centers 011 the belt, even though the parcels be anywhere from six inches to live feet long. Obviously, Where packages approached in length the distance between placexnent centers on the halt, great care was requircd in centering the package lengthwise With respect to the placement point, otherwise, it would not be properly diverted. In auy event, it will be apparent that the length of package, that such a system could handle, was limited and that small packages wasted carrying space and thus, 0f course, also wasted running time.

The primary objects of the present inve-ution are t0 overcorne the drawoacks generally described above and a further object is t0 provide a conveyor mechanism hav ing simple and rugged parts capa-ble of standing up under prolonged and heavy wear and wherein worn out parts may be easily replaced without the need for completed removal or disassembly of the conveyor. Other objects and fcatures of the inventlon Will be apparcnt from the desciption to follow.

Briefly, the invention cornprises a conveyor mechanisrn in the form of a belt which moves continuously from one or rnore operator stations to a number of selective diverting stations in combination with feed belts, which acting prior to the main belt, provide for a certain minirnurn spacing between parcels thereon. The main belt does not have any diverting elements, such as paddles,

pushers or the like, but of itself effects a diverting or 3,233,720 Patented Feb. 8, 1966 sponcling dimension of articles carried on such belt. F01

example, a mail Sack or package may take up the Width of several such slats, the Width of such slats being understood as the narrow dimension parallel to the tilting axis and in the direction of movement cf the belt. The length cf the slats is corresponclingly understood to be the actual transverse width cf the belt. Bach 0f the slats carries an elcment which rides in a track centrally disposed with respect to the slat and in the median plane thereof and such track is provided With mechanicrally operable switches, actuated by solenoids, whereby any element or series of elements connected to respective slats can be rocked by switching such elements from a track in the mcdian plane to either of the two tracks parallel to the median traclc, but displaced transversely and at a higher lcvel. Accordingly, as each such actuating element is switched in either direction to an ofl-center track, it causes tilting or slanting cf the respective slat and a Series cf such slats arriving at an actuatecl switch would each in turn be individually and gradually tilted from its initial horizontal position to a position of sorne 30 degrees cf slant, or sufiicient to cause transverse sli.ding of a carried package. Tims, assuming a package rests 011 four slats, to be discharged onto a secondary chute er comveyor, a solenoid actuated track switch would be disposed With reference to such secondary conveyor as 10 effect tilting cf each slat individually, beginning at the time that the first slat on which the package rested arrived at the upstrcarn side of such secondary conveyor which latter conveyor will be understocd to be generally transversely disposed of the main conveyon By the tirne: such first slat had reached approximately half way of the width of such secondary conveyor, it woulcl be -fully tilted to the extent provicled by the ofiE-center tracks and the slats trailing such slat would he experiencing gradual tiltup to the point of full tilt, precisely as was experiencecl by the first slat. Accordingly, the package supported on the four slats would exper-ience a gradual increasing gravitation force thcreon beginning at its front or downstream end and cornrnences to slide onto the secondary conveyor. As the fourth slat reaches its full tilt in pass-ing the secondary conveyor station, the package becornes fully discharged onto the secondary conveyor. By efi?ecting such a gradual application of gravitational force, the package is very gently handled in being thus diverted. Note that no thrust or push memoer has been applied to the package whatsoever and its length is theoretically unlimited, since it may rast on any nurnber of slats along the length of the main conveyor. It is, of course, understood that package length is limited by trnsverse width cf secondary couveyors where secondary convcyors are used. However, such limitation is eliminafed where packages are allowed to merely slide from the slats onto a large platform. It should further be noted that the track switch remains in slat tilting condition so that allslats which follo-w the package carrying slats are likewise tilted; however, the control system enables the track switch to resume central position so that slats following any particular package supporting slats will remain horizontal where they in turn support a package to be diverted at sorne other point downstreanr of the diverting station described above.

From the above description, it Will be apparent that the conveyor cf the invention can handle packages and parcels of irregular size, of extreme length, and in a reasonably g'entle manner, and that packages may be loadecl onto the holt one after the other, there being as a practical matter one slat left between each group of package supporting slats so as to avoid any possible interfsrence between packages. Assurance of such single slat spacing between packages is brought about by a series of spacing belts or conveyors on which the parcels an: initially loaded and which are provided With progressively varying speeds nnder automatic control to ensure a spacing betWeen the rear of one package and the front of another, of at least the width of one slat.

The control system is relatively simple in nature con sidering the versatility of the apparatus. Thus, programming may be effected by operators standing at conventional and comrnercially obtainable keyboards and there is no problern of package placement at spaced distancss, nor any need to record package length. By the arrangement wherein all slats following the initial load bearing slat are tilted provided they carry no load, the need for recording package length, predetermining the number of slats that will tilt, is eliminated.

The belt, as mentioned above, is fully articulated by nxeans cf link elements pivotcd to each other and each such link element cafries a pivotally mounted slat, such pivotal mounting being efi"ected by a pin passing through the slat support element which is normally maintained in the vertical plane, except when tilting the slat to one side or the other. The entire belt is oarried between a pair of sprockts, one of Which is powered to effect drive and the other being an idlcr, such spro-ckets being at the belt ends. The individual links are provided with rollers supported in tracks or channels carried on the frame of the conveyor, which may be comprised of angle iron. Thus, a conveyor comprised of a very large number of slats may be constructed in a relatively simple and econornic manner.

A detailed description of the invention now follows, in conjunction with the appended drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective showing a fragment of a slat conveyor belt for purposes of illustrating the tilting of the slats in conjunction with a diverting station;

FIG. 2 is a perspective showing the components which support an individual slat;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspcctive of a portion of thc conveyor showing supporting framework and other features; Y

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing articulated links which support the slats;

FIG. 5 is an elevation of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view looking through a slat broken away to disclose various support details;

FIG. 7 is an elevation of FIG. 6;

F1G. 8 is a simplified plan view illustraling a complete slat conveyor showing exemplary track switch positions;

FIG. 9 is an elevation of the view of FIG. S;

FIG. 10 is an elevation partially in section, taken transversely through the conveyor and sh0Wing the relationship of the main components for the upper and lowcr slat flights;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective to an arnplified scale of a track switching mechanism to effect slat tilt, the sloping track to carry Ehe roller into t-he tilt track, and the opp0sitely sloping track to return the roller t0 the central track prior to going over the drive sprocket;

FIG. 12 is another fragmentary perspective showing the switch mechanism 011 the opposite sidc of that shown in F1G. 11, viewcd from a dilferent angle, and illustrating a portion of a casting which effects a track junction;

FIGS 12a and 12b are plan and elevation views, respectively, of the switch mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective of a tilt return track arrangement just upstream of the drive sprocket Who'els;

FIG. 14 is an and view o f thc conveyor structure, stripped of non-sssential detail, showing a sprocket whel made of spaced sections which p1opols the slat belt and a, semi-oircular guido channel track which guides alle slat rangement of spacer belts in tandem With the sorting con-' veyor holt;

FIG. 17 is an electrical schematic diagram for control of the spacer belts;

FIGS. 184 through 186 are electrical schematic diagrams for control of the slats of the conveyor, in order to elfect diverting 0f packages at various stations, in accordancc With a program on magnetic tape;

FIG. 19 is a diagrarn plan layout showing the relationship between the magnetic tape on Which diverting signals am impressed, in conjunction with the sorting conveyor and diverter stations.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a fragmentary section of a slat conveyor of the type hereinbefore described is disclosed as a series of slats which will be understood to form a continuous hell: (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and which are moving in the direction of the arrow. Such slats are all identical, and are identified with the general reference nu meral 10. An opcrator stands at an operator station 15 at one side of the conveyor and it will be understood thati he programs packages in accordance With destination Witl'l a keyboard 17. More specifically, the control system: merely eflects movement of a solenoid operated mechanical track switch (to be described) at each diverter station, such as diverter station 20 as indicated by the roller type sscondary conveyor shown thereat. Accordingly, all slats passing such conveyor will cornrnence to tilt upon reaching the secondary conveyor, and each slat in turn Will tilt progrossively until it reaches full tilt position. Considering the slats designated as 10a10e, it Will be noted that the slat 10e is beginning to tilt and that the slats downstrearn thereof am in conditions of progressively greater tilt. Thus, it will be appreciated that initially 10a experiencecl the slight degree of tilt shown by the slat 10e when it was in the position shown for Hie and then experienced gradually greater tilt up to the maximurn slant depicted.

The side extension 23 of the secondary conveyor provides a safeguard for exceedingly long packages. Ac cordingly, any package placed on the growp of slats 10a- 10e will thus be gradually slid off onto the secondary conveyor. Such package may experience a certain arn0unt of rotation due to the warping action of the progressively tilting slats, but this is of no consequence. Downstream cf the slat group lila-10a will be noted a horizontal group of four slats 10f10i and this illnstrates that such slats have not bcen tilted, either because thcy bore no parcel or they are bearing a parcel (not shown) to be diverted further on along the length of the belt. On the other band, downstream of the horizontal group of four slats, .10f-101', is another group of four slats, 10j10m and it will be noted tha-t tl1ese are all fully tilted slats. This rneans that they rnust have borne a parcel which was either diverted at the station 20, or upstream of the station 20. Accordingly, the slats 10f-101' inust be carrying a parcel or else they, too, would be in the fully tilted position of the slats '10m since, as notcd above, once any slat Starts to tilt, all succeeding slats likewise tilt until a slat is reached which is the first slat of a parcel carrying; group, regardless of how far down the belt, that is, up-- stream, such parcel may be.

Referring to FIGS. 213 it will be noted that each slat 10 is carried on a support post 30 (FIG. 7) pivoted on a pin extending between the raised transversc bridges 34 of a rectangularly shaped Link 35 (FIG. 9), Which eflects a carriage having four side rollcrs 40 0n suitaole shafts 43. The rollers carry thc link on roller tracks or channels 46a and b made 0f angle iron (FIG. 10), for the upper and lower fiights, respectively. The links are also provided With side guide rollers 49, rotative on vertical axes. Each post 30 terminates in a toller 55 that rides in a center channel 58a and b, for upper and lower flights, respectively.

Thus, as viewed 011 FIGS. 3 and the slats of the up per flight have rollers 55 that move in channels 58a, while the slats of the lower flight have their rollers in a corresponrling channel 58b.

The tracks 46a (FIG. 10) for the upper flight are suitably supported on a channel or angle iron framing 64 of any suitable construction which may be readily constructed for the entire length cf the belt, as Will be clearly understood by persons skillcd in the art. For exarnple, fioor pieces 67 and vertical risers 70 With corner brace plates 72 may be provided along With horizontal cross braces 75, in order to eflect a strong steel skeleton for supporting the upper flight 011 an A-frame of sloping channels 78, any number cf which may be provided. The lower fiight tracks 46b may be suspended on vertical angle iron mernbers 83 sccured to cross braces 75.

The slats are thus carried continuously on their respec tive carriages 01' links 36 which are articulatcd (FIGS. 4 and 5) by mcans of the axles 43 for following in a vertical plane around sprocket wheels 1.00, 103 (FIGS. 8, 9, 13-15), each wheel comprising two spaced sections, e.g. 100a and 100b (FIGS. 14 and wheel 100 being for drive and wheel 103 being an idler.

Intermediate the sprocket Wheel sections is a rouncled channel 108 which merges at its respective encls with channels 58a and 58b (FIG. 15). The ends of the straight and curved channels may be butt welded or -fastened in any suitable man-ner. The sprocket wheel sections have registering and aligned notches, such as 112, spaced to register with rollers 40 and 49, so that the rollers 40 can socket therein as the rollers 55 wund the curved channel 108 in -1;he direction cf the arrow. lt Will be noted that the spacing between rollers 49 and rollers 40 is designed so that the rollers 49 can also socket in notches 112. Thus, the articulated links efi?ect a sprocket chain and are driven by the drive sprocket 100, and moved around rhe configuration from urpper to lower flight, in the direction cf the arrow, while the rollers 55 are guided in the central channels or in tilti.ng channels to be later described.

Details of the sprockct drive are not essential to tl1e invention, there being shown generally a motor 118 and a gear reduction 122, and it Will be understood that the arrangement thus aflorded is suitable for driving the belt continuously at a predetermined speed.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the overall configuration of the conveyor is shown, including mechanical track switches, such as 125 and 128, which will be understood to be located at respective diverting stations to effect slat tilting. It Will be noted that the track switch arrangement has bidirectlonal diverting eifect, in tbe sense that switch 125 can divert packages elf the belt in the direction cf the arrow A, and switch 128 can divert packages in the direction of the arrow B.

Reference is made to FIG. 10, showing tilt track channels 130 and 132 above center track 58a and on respective sides, supported by angle iron members on frame 65. The effect cf the track switches is to shift the rollers 55 into a selective track 130 or 132, and in view of the slanted orientation and higher position of the tilt tracks, the post 30 of each slat thus operated upon by a track switch to be shunted into a tilt track is tilted accordingly, whereby the respective slats are tilted. The perspective views of FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 Will make this clear.

Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown the disposition of a track switch, such as 125, With respect to center track 50a; and side or tilt track 130 which effects slat tilting when rollers 55 are switched therein. It will be noted that the rail 130 has an upwardly slanting section 130a and a downwardly slanting section 130b and it Will be further understood that rollers 55, approaching in the direction of the arrow, if shunted to track 130 frorn track 58a, will ride upwardly, thus tilting the respective slats and rnaintaining then1 tilted While travcrsing the entire length of rail 130, as indicated by the phantom lines between the broken sections of FIG. 11, until such rollers mach the dowriWarclly slanting return track b which merges With level track 53a just bcfore tl1e driving sprocket wheel 100, as shown in FIG. 13.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, 12a and 12b, it will be seen that each switch consists of a pivoi:ally mounted diverting tongue 136 and that, as rollers 55 in FIG. 12a move in the direction of the arrows in the center track 58a, they would ordinarily be rnaintalned in that track, providing the switch tongue 136 is in the position shown If, however, the tongue is rotated in the dlrection cf the arrow, then such rollers would be shunted into the tilt track 130, going up the incline 130a.

lt will be noted that the orientation of FIGS. 12a and 12b is for the opposite edge of the conveyor as compared With FIG. 11.

Bach switcl1 c0rnprises an actuating means for the respective tongue. Tims, each tongue is carried on a fixed block 137 and pivoted theretc on axis 138a by rneans cf a suitable pin (not shown), and the tongue is also pivoted (by a pin not shown) to a bent bar 140 which passes through a slot in the channel Wall and is pivoted to solcnoid plunger 143, cf solenoid 146, which acting against spring can rock rhe tongue.

Thus, energization cf the solenoid eficcts slat tilting by shifting rollers 55 into the tilt track, and de-energization permits the spring 150 to pull tongue 136 in the position shown in FIG. 12a for non-tilting.

From the above description, it Will be apparent that the various track switches may be controlled by the respectivc solenoids to elTect slat tilting at respective diverting stations in a rnanner such that maxirnum tilt of the slats will be substantially in the region cf the secondary conveyor (FIG. 1). It will, of course, be apreciated that the switch and tilt track arrangement is such as to divert packages off one side cf the belt or the other, as explained in comjunction with FIG. 8,

The transition or entrance channel portion 130a (FIG. 12) Will be noted as warping away from a vertical plane so as to gradually elfect slat tilting.

Referring in particular to FIG. 13, the arrangement is illustrated wherein the tilted slats are automatically pivoted back to horizontal position before entering the drive sprocket wheel 100 Thus, return merging cf the tilt track 130 with the center track 58a is acccrnplished by downwarclly slanting exit section 130b which gradually guides the rollers 55 back into track 58a. Thereafter, the track 58a connects Witn the curved track 108 (FIG. 15) to effect continuous rnovement of the slats in non-tiltcd condition around the sprocket wheel.

It Will be understood that there is an inclined rising entrance portion such as 130a disposed at each diverting station 011 one 01 both conveyor sides and that each such portion 130a merges With the tilt track for the respective side of the conveyor. However the exit section of each tilt track is a Single downwardly slanting track such as 130b leading to centralized track 58a just before the sprocket wheel 100. Thus, all slats, once tilted at any diverting station in either direction, must remain tilted until arriving at the respective exit section for that side cf the conveyor.

Based on the foregoing explanation of the conveyor mechanism, it will be understood that when any solenoid 146 is energized at a respective diverter station, the switch mechanisrn controllecl thereby Will effect dellection of the switch tongue 136 so that all rollers 55 of the moving conveyor Will be deflected into the entrance scctions cf the tilt tracks and by virtue of the twisting or warping of such entrance sections from relatively vertical to approximately a 60 degree angle of the channel Walls, all posts 30 Will be pivoted accordingly. All successive slats will thus be tilted, as explained in conjunction with FIG. 1 and, except for control by a rnemory system to be hereinafter described, all slats Will continue in their tilted comdition until just before reaching sprocket Wheel 100, where, as will be clcar frorn FIG. 13, thc rollers 55 then descend downwardly through the Warped exit section 13)b. The slats are then once n1ore horizontal as the rollers 55 pass into the central track 58a and then progress between the sprocket wheel sections guided by the arcuate channel track 108, as shwn in FIG. 15.

Control 0f the conveyor is eflected by a memory or programming systern to enable an operator or operators to divert parcels selectively at the stations.

The electrical circuitry of the control systern is efiective to prevent tilting of any slats carrying a parcel Where such parcel is intended to be diverted downstream of a station at Which the track switch is actuated. This is brought about by de-energization 0f the latter switch selenoid responsive to sensing of entry of that parcel on the conveyor, a photoelectric cell being used as a sensing means. Full circuit explanation Will hereinafter be given.

1t will, of course, be appreciated that the slats could be spaced apart several inches and need not be closely adjacent each other. This would, of course, depend 011 the nature and size of articles to be handled. If necessary, a flexible rubber or plastic belt rnay be disposed encornpassing all the slats so as to provide Support intermediate the slats for articles placed on the conveyor. Of course, such a bel t would have to be of sufficient flexibility so as -to readily yield as the -slats ti1t. Further, as an econorny measure in construction, it would be possible to have alterna-te slats merely carried between adjacent slats as by tension springs or chains, or by any other medium Which will efiect proper support and allow relative flexure.

With such an arrangernent the supporting posts for alternate slats together With the roller carriages therefor could be eliminated. Thus, the ro-ller carriages would be spaced by suitable links sufiicient to provide flexibility of the articulated carriages in going around the sprocket wheels.

Various other modifications of the mechanical arrangement oould be made, as will be evident to persons skilled in the art and the above discussion is merely to p0int out the breadth of the invention.

T he spacer .system In order to effect proper operation of the slat belt sorter hereinabove described, it is essential that all slats under a particular parcel effect tilt at a designated diverting station. T0 achie-ve this, proper spacing of parcels in the direction of flow is necessary. The system hereinbelow described, prevents two parcels from resting on the sarne slat and in fact ensures a separation between trailing and leading encls of consecutive parcels so as to maintain a spaci-ng of more than one slat width in the flow direction between such parcels.

Thus, in actual practice with an operating machine, a minimum spacing cf 12" is desired, whereas the slat width is approximately 8" with one inch space between slats.

The spacing system for assuring proper separation between parcels, is shown in conjunction With FIGS. 16 and 17 wherein FIG. 16 shows the tandem disposition of the conveyor belt and a series of spacer conveyor belts designated as belt 1, belt 2 and belt 3.

Packages are initially loaded on belt l. Assuming that the desired speed o-f conveyor 111 is 180 feet per minute, an appropriate speed for belt 1 could be 135 feet per minute, and this belt could be kept c0ntinuously running under usual .loading conditions. The normal speed of belt 2 would thcn be 155 leet per minute and that 0f belt 3 would be 180 feet per minute, and these latter belts are driven by a common motor M through a pulley system as shown. The motor is of a type which can start and stop very rapidly, being equipped with Suitable automatic braking for quick stop. The motor may be operated from a three-phase line through the solenoid operated motor starter, MS, having contacts in four 1ines L L L as shown.

At the downstrearn end of belt 3, there is arranged a light Which sends a beam across the belt to a photocell PC and it will be understood that any package erossing between the light and the cell, will interrupt the beam.

Assuming that packages 3 feet long are placed 0n belt 1, end to end, that is on 3 feet centers, their center to center spacing would be or 4 feet, in going from belt 1 to the conveying belt. Acoordingly, the space betw'een consecutive packages would be one foot.

It can be assumed that parcels are frictionally gripped at their centers of gravity in rnoving to a successive belt and that such centers of gravity are at parcel centers. This would not usually be the case, but the system is operative as described regardless 0f random center of gravity spacing.

Where the end to end spacing is one foot there would be no need for belts 2 and 3. However, assuming that packages are only 1 /2 feet long, their center to center spacing, when placed 0n belt 1, would then be only 1 /2 feet and at the -time of arrival at the sorting conveyor holt, such spacing would only be 2 feet. The spacing between packages would then be only 6" and additional spacing -is required to en sure accu1acy in diverting. By means of the belts 2 and 3 which stop and start responsive to conditions of spacing, parcels are spaced further apart when sensed at less than one foot spacing.

A general description and opera-ting of the spacing control system is as follows: Condenser C (FIG. 17) has a time rate of discharge via variable resistance R3 that corresponds to the desired spacing as a matter of travel tirne of articles on Belt 3. Thus, R3 is variable to predetermine such spacing, and condenser C discharges through R3 as long as the photocell is illuminated. On the other band, C is charged while an article is passing the photo-cell, eharging being accornplished quickly through resistance R2, which resistance is for preventing excess current rather than limiting the rate 0f Charge, since it is desired -to charge C as rapidly as possible but to diseharge it through the time constant eircuit which cornprises R3-C while the cell is illuminated.

The extent of discharge of C (FIG. 17) determines Wheuher or not belts 2 and 3 are operative. If the parcels are too elose, insufiicient discharge occurs due to the cell being darkened t00 soon by the upstream parcel. The motor stops substantially as soon as the beam is blocked by the upst-ream parcel and it remains stopped long enough for the downstrearn parcel to be carried off on conveyor 111 so as to effect a one foot spacing before the upstream parcel is again moved.

A pair of transistors (PNP type) are provided, one 011 Which, TR1, is responsive to the article sensing means, i.e., the photocell PC to condition certain relays for control of charge and discharge of C, and a transistor TRZ which controls the actual starting and stopping of motor M via relay means responsive to charged 0r discharged con dition of C.

Accordingly, whether or not the motor starts or stops is a matter of the time occurring between illumination and darkening of PC which depends on the spacing between the trailing edge cf a parcel and the leading edge of a successive parcel, as compared With the time constant 0f R3-C, Which is designed so that C will discharge if the spacing is a foot or more.

The detailed description and operation of the m0tor control circuit of FIG. 17 now follows.

Assurne no articles on the belts 1 and 2, and the n1ot0r M is running energized f10m the A.C. lines, current passing through MS via relay contacts of circuitry to be hereinafter described. The ph0tocell PC is illuminated, the transistor TR1 being biased thereby to conduct.

Photocell PC is a photo resistive type and is in series with a resistor R1 having a value about midway between the light and dark resistance of the cell. Thus, comducting bias for TR1 (base negative and emitter positive) is effected by the D.C. common line to the emitter and through photocell PC from the 24 v. line V to the base, wherei-n the common line has a potential midway between -24 v. and +24 v., the total voltage being 48 v. between negative and positive lines V and V Tespectively. Condenser C, which was charged from the line V (positive) via R2 when the system was turned on has discharged via R3-C to line V (negative) for the reason that current thnough TR1 has activated a relay CRA in the collector circuit to li-ne V Thus, contact CRA1 activates a relay CRB to close contact CRB3 in series with condenser C effecting a discharge path to line V As long as the photocell remains illuminated, the condenser C remains discha-rged, assurning no parcel blocks the beam, and current for MS thus passes through contact CRA-2, and also through a contaet CRC- 2 of a relay CRC, responsive to a conducting condition of transistor TR2, but no MS current passes through NC contact CRB4 which is open at this time (CRB energized).

Transistor TR2 is connected across the D.C. lines V and V with the relay CRC in series with the transistor output. When TR2 conducts, relay CRC is energized and contact CRC2 maintains energization of the motor startet solenoid MS to keep the motor running, even should relay CRA become deenergized whence CRA-2 woulcl be opened.

As long as no article interrupts the bearn, the above condition obtains, i.e., relays CRA, CRB, CRC are activated, transistors TR1, TR2, continuously conduct, no charging current frorn line V line goes to the condenser C and the condenser is discharged.

Transistor TR2 rernains conducting (base negative and emitter positive) due to the state of discharge of condenser C; the NC contact CRBZ in series With R2 being open, no charge can go to condenser C fron1 line V and CRB2 being closed current from line V can pass to the base.

However, TR-2 beco.mes biased to cut oif (base becomes poistive) should condenser C become charged positively from line V and this charge occurs very rapidly should the cell be darkened by parcel interruption of the light beam. Such interruption also causes transistor TR1 to be biased to cut-01T due to the large voltage drop across the photocell when it is darkened which rernoves negative bias frorn the base and leaves a positive bias via R1.

Thus, assume the leacling edge of a package cuts oif light to the photocell PC. The collector current for TR1 is cut oft, deactivating relay CRA to open contact CRA-1 which de-energizes relay CRB. Since CRC is still energized, current is broken through contact CRB-l which wonld otherwise serve as a sealing-in contact for relay CRB if NC contact CRC1 were closed. However, the motor starter MS is still activated via contact CRC-2, although CRA-2 is now open. Further, contact CRB-3 opens While contact CRB2 and CRB4 close at this time. This effects charging of the condenser to 24 v., thereby biasing transistor TR2 to cut 01T, which then deactivates relay CRC. This, of course, occurs very rapid* ly, as explained above, the resistance R2 being merely to prevent excess current flow t the condenser, which might be harmful, and does not constitute any part of a time constant circuit except to the extent of protecting the comdenser. Since contacts CRC2 and CRA-2 are now both open, maintenance of activation of the motor starter MS is effected only by way of NC contact CRB4, closed due to present deactivation of relay CRB. Accordingly, at this time the motor starter MS remains activated and the Belts 2 and 3 continue to run as long as the parcel or article is passing the photocell.

The above sequence of events conditions the system to 19 effect stopping of the -motor should the leading edge of the next successive article be less than a foot upstream of the preceding article, while at the sarne tin1e maintaining the systern in condition to permit continued motor operation should the next successive article be a foot or more upstream. t

This conditioning of the system permits control by the setting of the variable resistor R3 such that the discharge time of the condenser C to the point where the transistor TR2 becomes conducting again, responsiv-e to illumination of the photocell after the package passes, is set to correspond to one foot of movement of the parcels on Belt 3.

Thus, assuming the leading edge of a second package is spaced a foot or moxe from the trailing edge of the downstream package When the first package passes completely, the photocell is illuminated, CRA is energized via TR1 as once more conducts. CRB is energized; comtact CRBZ opens, charging current is cut oft, while CRB-3 closes to permit the condenser discharge. The condenser C has time to discharge through R3 in the time that the photocell is illuminated, the light beam passing, of course, through the foot or more spacing between the two packages.

Forward bias is thus restored to transistor TR2, effecting energization of relay CRC via collector current, and all previous conditions are thus restored wherein CRA-2 and CRC2 are closed, while CRB4 is open. The motor starter remains energized via CRA4 and CRC-2.

Assume, however, that the spacing between two successive packages is less than one foot in passing the beam. Bearn cut off by the leading edge of the second package renders transistor TR1 non-conductive prior to the tirne condenser C can discharge to the point where TR2 becomes conducting. Accordingly, relay CRC remains deenergized and relay CRA now becomes de-energized. I-Iowever, relay CRB remains energized since CRB-ll seals it in in series with the normally closed contact CRC-1. Thus, contact CRB-4 is open. Since CRA-2 was opened due to cut oflf of transistor TR1 and CRC-2 is open due to continued cut off of transistor TR2, the opening of all such contacts cuts cut the motor starter to stop the motor.

Thus, the Belts 2 and 3 cease motion and the package on Belt 3 blocks the bean1 at the downstream end of the belt, remaining there until condenser C fully discharges to the point where TR2 becomes again conductive. By this time the preceding package has been carried off by the conveyor 10, and thus there is at least one foot of space provided between the stationary paclcage and the preceding package. Upon TR2 becoming once more conductive after condenser discharge, relay CRC is again activated, CRC-2 closes and the motor startet is again activated whence the belts renew their motion. At this time CRC-1 opens to deactivate CRB and thus closes the normally closed contact CRB-4. Likewise, CRB3 opens and CRB-2 closes to again charge the condenser to bias the transistor TR2 to cut ofi, whence relay CRC is again deactivatecl, conditioning the systen1 for the next package interruption of the light beam.

In substance, therefore, the contact CRC-2 maintains the belts running as long as transistor TR2 1's conductive, the contact CRA-2 maintains the belts running as long as the photocell is illuminated and the contact CRB4 rnaintains the belts running so long as there is at least one foot spacing between successive packages.

In order to insure proper operation of the system the condenser can charge through the resistor R2 in approximately of the time that it can discharge through resistor R3. This permits operation of the system in response to packages as small as some two inches in length.

T he memory system Reference is made to FIGS. 18-1 through 18-6 showing the circuitry for programming the conveyor to divert 1 l parcels oft the belt at selected designations, and to FIG. 19 showing tl1e diagrammatic relationship between a magnetic tape re-cord and tne slat conveyor 10.

Referring particularly to FIG. 19, it will be noted that the magnetic tape and the slat conveyor have a common drive su :h as any suitable motor-driven means G, e.g., gearing or the like, powered by a motor (not shown).

The magnetie 'tape has extending transversely thereacross a series of erase heads upstrearn of respective recording heads. lt Will be understood that there are twelve heads of each set disposed over twelve respective reeording channels on the tape and that there are twelve respective readout heads, e.g. 9'; 10'; downstream to correspond in longitudinal position to the locations of the various trank switches along the conveyor.

The recording heads are disposed one slat width downstream of the photocell PE whieh senses parcels as they enter the conveyor upstream of the diverting stations. The track switches are generally indicated as Switch 1, Switch 2, Swi'tch 3, Switch 4 Switch 9, Switch 10, Switch 11, Switch 12, corresponding to Channel 1, etc., on the tape, as will be clearly understood frorn tne dravv ing. T hus, readout head 9' over Channel 9 controls track Switch 9, and is spaced from readout head 10' which Controls track Switch 10 in the same ratio as the spacing between track Switches 9 and lt).

Accordingly, as the tape and the conveyor rnove, the erase heads first clear the tape of previous signals whence the recording heads can record signals in their respective channels for each track switch to be operated. Thus, a signal e.g. in Channel 10 Will be picked up by readout 10 at a time that a parcel is approaching track Switch 10 and the switch will be operated by its solenoid to commence tilting the slats n which the parcel rests in a manner heretofore described.

The programming of the tape is illustrated in the present instance in a simplified system utilizing a single operator rather than several operators, but it will be understoocl that a multi-operator system could be used, it then being necessary, of course, to provide suitable circuitry of the kind to lae described for each operator with interlinking circuitry to ensure proper sequence of programming. F0r example, if two or more operators wish to divert respective parcels at Switeh 9, it is, of course, necessary to have delay circuitry for holding the separate Signals for sequential recording. Referring to FIGS. 1, 16, 181, 18-2, an operator would be positioned at a loading point for conveyor and he has a series of push buttons PB1 through PB12 only the first four being illustrated in FIGS. 181 182 since all others are a, duplication of the systern arrangernent. Thus, as a parcel is loaded, say on Belt 1 of the Spacer system (FZG. 16}, the operator notes the designation insofar as it pertains to a diverter station 011 conveyor 10 and presses the corresponding push button to recor-d a signal on the magnetic tape which signal at the time of readout has moved under a readout head corresponding to the selected diverter station, efi?ecting tilting of the slats at that Station, this being the time of arrival of the parcel at that station.

Referring now to FIGS. 18-1 and 18-2, each of the push buttons Connects t0 a corresponcling so called MR relay which is a signal storing relay, such as MR1, MRZ, MR12, etc., activated at the time the respective button is pushed. Such activation effects storage of the signal until subsequently acting signal recording control KR relays, or coding relays, such as KR1, KR2, KR12, etc. corresponding to respeetive relays MR1, MR2, etc. have been reset to remove any previous activation which they may have had. T he MR relays then transfer the respective stored signals to the corresponding KR relays, causing respective activation thereof to apply a 1000 c.p.s. signal to a respective tape channel. Such signal is placed on the tape so that it Will rear:h the appropriate readout head just before the slat under the leading edge of the programmed parcel waches the appropriate track switch controlled oy that readout head. The KR relays are sealed in energized condition until the ne ;t parcel has been loaded on Belt 1 and is programrned. However, if no furthei' parcel is thus programmed the track switch at that station Will remain in actuated condition and thus, tilts all slats passing the station indefinitely. If another parcel is progrannned, the KR relays are reset, such tilting efl.ect ceasing.

The above describes the general operation of the mernory system, a detailed description of Which Will now follow.

A light L and photocell PE (FIG. 19) are arranged adjacent the upstrearn end of conveyor 10 and it will be understood that the coding push buttons PB1, etc. (FIGS. 181 182) are pressed -before a parcel interrupts the beam frorn the light to the cell. Actuation of a push button activates the corresponding MR 1'elay wl1icn seals in through a normally open contact, for example MRl-l, MR2-l etc. to store the signal. The energizing current is from the A.C lines 1 and 2 shown, the common push button line 3 being shown connected to line 1 in FIG. 18-2. Activation of any such MR relay in the manner described closes a second contact such as MR12 (FIG. 182) which energizes relay CRG to open its normally closed contact CRG1 extinguishing a Selection larnp which indicates that a code signal has been entered in the system. At the same time normally closed contact CRG2 (FIG. 18-2) is opened which disconneets the push button common line 3 from A.C. line 1 so that all push buttons then become momentarily imperative against entry of a subsequent signal.

Any MR relay thus activated remains activated until the parcel for which it has been coded brealcs the photocell beam. At this time the photocell ceases to conduct.

The photocell is of a photoresistive type having relatively high conduetion when illuminated. lt is in series with the resistor R4 across positive and negative D.C. lines as shown (FIG. 183). Resistor R4 is about half the dark resistance of the cell and D.C. current is aflorded thereto by the full wave rectifier R powered oy the transformer T conneeted to the A.C. lines 1 and Z. The photocell controls operation of a transistor TR1 which is nonconductive when the cell is illuminated, due to lack of emitter current since the emitter and base are substantially at the same potential by virtue of the high conductivity of the illuminated photocell, as will be understood frorn FIG. 183, wherein the diode D has no eifect on bias current for the transistor, but permits discharge of a coudenser C2.

Thus, When eurrent ceases to flow tluough the photocell, as when a parcel is passing it tl1e darl resistance is high and the baso of TR1 is rendered negative via resistor R4 and condenser C2 and the transistor then passes eurrent to relay EE to energize that relay. Such energization is momentary and lasts only until the capacitor C2 is suficiently charged so that base current ceases and th transistor again becomes non-conductive. The value of C2 is such that relay EE is energized for some 30 to 50 milliseconds. Upon restoration 0f the light beam, the package completely passing it the capacitor rapidly discharges through the photocell and also through a diode D so that the circuit is prepared to repeat the momentary energization of relay EE for the next package.

When EE is energized the closure of contact EE1 energizes a relay CR1 which in turn energizes a relay DRA (FIG. 184) through contact CRll1. Relay DRA seals in through its contact DRA1 and also through normally closed contaet CR31 of a relay CR3.

The energization of relay DRA conditions the cirouit for the next closure of a cam-operated contact P which sets up a train of events that de-energizes all KR re'iays as explained below. Contact P clos-es momentarily eac'n time the leading edge 0f a slat aligns transversely With the photocell and it Will be understood that a suitable syn- 13 chronizing drive (not shown) is present t rotate tne cam P in order to achieve the desired function.

Since DRA is energized, ciosure of contact P energizes relay CRZ via contact BKA-2 (FIG. 18-3) by virtue of the series connection across the D.C. lines.

Energization of relay CRZ opens the normally closed contact CRZ-1 (FIG. 18-3) and thus deenergizes all KR relays by discoxmection Irom A.C line 1. At the same time, contact CRZ-2 closes the CRZ-3 opens which charges the capacitor C3 (FIG. 18-4). All this occurs as switch P closes; however, as soon as P opens in the course of rotation of cam P CRZ is deenergized so that CRZ-2 opens and CRZ-3 closes, to pern1it C3 (FIG. 18-4) t0 discharge through the relay CRZ whence energization of thai relay occurs for a short duration, 30 to 50 milliseconds as determined by the value of C3, and results in tne application of power to the contacts MRl-3 through MR12-3 of the MR relays via contact CRZ-1 (FIG. 18-2) from A.C. line 1. These MR contacts .are connected respective KR relays, whereby any KR relay corresponding to an MR relay energized by a selected push button, is energized.

Accordingly, the respective KR contact (FIG. 18-4) such as KRl-2, KRZ-2, etc. is closed to send a 1000 c.p.s. from a conventional oscillator (FIG. 18-4) as a continuous signal to the respective tape channel recording head whence' the signal is recorded in a respective channel. The length 0f the signal is determined by the length of time the particular KR relay is energized which in turn depends 0x1 light beam interruption by the next package.

As tl1e tape moves, the signals are picked up by the respective readout heads (FIG. 18-5) e.g., readout heads 9 and 10', which acting through respective amplifying transistors, such as TR9, TR10, etc. energize respective relays, RR9, RR10, etc. to close respective contacts RR9-l, RR10-1, etc., thus energizing the solenoids SR9, SR10, etc., having respective contacts SR9-l, SR10-1, etc. whichcause actuation 0f respective track switch solenoids at the diverting stations to operate respective trck switches.

Further, momentary energization 0f relay CRZ as described above also closes contact CR2-2 (FIG. 18-4) which permits charge of capacitor C4 from the D.C. lines; as s0on as CRZ is de-energized upon completion of discharge of C3 therethrough, normally closed contact CRZ-3 closes to momentarily actuate relay CR3 by discharge of C4 therethrough. Thus, normally closed cantact CR3-1 is opened (FIG. 18-4) as well as normally closed contact CR3-2 (FIG. 18-2). This deenergizes relay DRA (relay CR1 de-energized to open CR1-1 when EE is deenergized) and all MR relays, the sealing current being broken for these relays. Deenergization of the MR relays effects deenergization of relay CRG (FIG. 18-2) due to opening of contacts MRl-2 through MRl-l2. Accordingly, the NC contact CRG-1 is closed to light the Selection light, indicating the system may be coded for the next parcel, since all push buttons are now again live due to closing of NC contact CRG-2 (FIG. 18-2) wh in CRG was deenergized.

All KR relays remain actuated due to sealing in abNC contact CRZ-1 (FIG. 18-3) arm-d remain actuated until the entire sequence is repeated by another parcel inter rupting the light beam t0 cut off cell PE, thus energizing CRZ to open CRZ-1.

As shown in FIG. 18-2, a cancel switch is provided in series with lines 1 2lIld 4. In the event the operator miscocles a parcel, pressing of this button switch cuts the current 10 all MR relays via their sealing contacts thus neutralizing the previously stored signal.

Due to the continuecl activation of any coded KR relay until a suoceeding parcel interrupts the light beam, all slats reaching the respective track switch Will be tilted and remain tilted until they arrive at the drive sprocket wheel 100 (FIG. where they are mechanically brought back to horizontal position as previously explained.

All recordings are erased as the tape'passes under the erase heads and the tape channels are then ready for fresh programming.

In summation of the above discussion:

A parcel is programmed by an operator pressing a push button a.t the time the parcel is loaded onto the conveyor or onto any entrance belt, but upstream of the photocell. The photocell controls all fun=ctioning of the circuitry described. Pressing of a selected button effects Signal 01' code storage in a storage (MR) relay. At this point, the selection has been made and the selection la.mp shown in FIG. 18-2 is extinguished so that no further selection Will be made by the operator until that light is once more lit.

The systern is thus conditioned for recording the signal 011 the tape band and this occurs when the parcel programrned interrupts the light bearn.

At that time a connection is completed to cam switch P which switch is continuously closing ancl opening with each slat passing the beam, so that on the next closure of cam switch P after the beam is interrupted by a parcel all previously energized code relays that is KR relays, are deenergized. Subsequently, switch P opens and the codb relay for which the respective storage relay has been energized is then likewise energized. Following a short delay, due to the eflect 0f condenser C4, such storage relay is then deenergized and the selection light is lit once more, apprising the operator that the next parcel may be coded.

Accordingly, the automatic deenergization of the coding relays depends upon the occurrence of three sequential conditions.

(l) Operator makes a station selection by pressing a coding push button.

(2) The beam is intenupted when the programmed parcel passes the sensing means, i.e. the photocell.

(3) Switch P closes,

Energization of the selected coding relay oocurs as a fourth and rapidly following conclition, namely, the opening of the switch P.

Any coding relay thus energized eifects actuation of a respective solenoid track switch via the recording tape and readout system, and such track switch remains actuated to continually tilt all slats arriving at that station. This condition remains until the respective code relay is deenergized which can occur only by the sequence enumerated above, namely, the programming of another parcel. Thus, if no subsequent parcel is put on the comveyor, the slats will continually be tilted at an actuated track switch for as long as the conveyor runs. It will readily be seen that the length of signal on the tape band is then only a function of the spacing between successive parcels and is in no sense a function of the: length of any particular parcel.

The same storage relay may be selected lwice in a row, if it is desired to divert successive parcels at the same station. This is made possibly by deenergization of all storage relays each time the switch P opens. Such deenergization occurs With suitable delay (a function of comdenser C4) in order to ensure energization and recording functioning of the same selected coding relay which likewise occurs upon opening cf the switch P and which is to be again selected.

What is clairned .is:

1. In a sorting conveyor system, an endlless belt comprising means providing a plurality of slats individually tiltable t0 effect slid.ing 01T of parcels carried on a plurality 0f slats, each 0f said slats being supported on a post, a carriage for each slat and the respective post being p.ivotally carried thereby, said carriages being articulated, each carriage having support rollers, and track means on which said support rollers move, a sprocket wheel drive at one end of said belt having spaced sprocket wheels provided with peripheral notches to engage said rollers for effecting drive of said belt, one end of each of said posts being disposed in a guide track to normally maintain level position of said slats, at least one diverting station along the length of said belt, a tilt track extending alongside of said guid e track and spaced vertically and harizontally With respect thereto and hav.ing an upwardly rising entrance portion disposed at said station and said entrance portion being disposed adjacent said guide track t fonn a switch junction, a track switch disposd at said junction actuatable [0 Shift said -p0sts frozn said guide trank to said tilt track to thereby effect tilt of said slats, said tilt track l1aving an exit portion slanting downwardly toward said guide track and merging therewith whereby said posts are shifted thereinto for efifecting levelling of said slats, said guicle track having a curved po1'tion intermediate the sprocket wheels and substantially concentric therewith whereby said posts ar-e guided around tl1e Center of rotation of said sprocket wheels when said slats are rnoving frorn an upper t0 a lower flight of said belt.

2. A system comprising rneans providing an endless belt made cf a plurality of normally lcvel slat elements articulated to eacl1 other whereby said elements are tiltable in groups to effect diverting cf parcels therefrorn, means for tilting said elements at a selected point along the length 0:f said belt and f0r retaining said elements in tilted posit1on to the end of said belt and wherein all successive elements would normally be thus tilted in arriving at said point, and control means responsive to the sensing 0f successive spaced parcels on said belt for neutralizing the previously mentioned means so as to retain level condition of a group of elements upstream of tilted elements whereby a parcel carried on said group may be diverted at a Selected point downstream of said first mentioned point by tilting of said group 0f elements thereat.

3. A conveyor belt comprised of means providing a plurality of tiltable elements, means for supporting and means for tilting said elements to efl-ect selective, continuous and successive tilting in eit'ner rotational direction 0f groups of said elements from a level posltion whereby respective parcels carried on a. group of elements may be diverted at points al0ng said belt and an either sicle thereof, said tilting means comprising a pair cf tilt tracks, means whereby said elements are normally guided for level movement, and said tilting rneans also comprising mernbers connected to said elemcnts and shiftable into either of said tilt tracks to efiect tilting of said elements in a selected direction.

4. An endless conveyor belt comprised of means providing a plurality of tiltable slats, tilting rneans for tilling said sl ats to elfect tilting thereof. in groups in either rotat.ional d1rectio-n from a level position whereby respective parcels carried by said groups n1ay be diverted at points along said belt and on either side thereof, said tilting means comprising a pair of spaced tilt tracks, guide means extending along said belt and members connected to said slats disposed fr engagement therewith for guided movement intermediate said tilt tracks whereby said slats are maintained level, and track switching means for shifting said members into either of said tilt tracks to efi5ect tilting of said slats in a selected direction.

5. An endless conveyor belt cornprised of means providing a plurality of tiltable slats, means n1aintaining said slats normally level, and tilting means for actuating said slats operative to efiect sequential tilting of successive slats in either rotational direction from a level position whereby loads -carried thereon may be diverted at points along said belt and on either side thereof, said tilting means comprising a pair of spaced tilt tracl s, me-mbers connect-ed to said slats ancl being disposed for movement intermediate said tilt tracks when said slats are level, and track switching means engageable with said members for shifting said members into either of said tilt tracks to effect tilting of said slats in a selected direction.

6. An endless conveyor belt as set forth in claim 5, including a guide track intermediate said tilt tracks for maintaining said slats normally level, said members being guided therein, said track SWit i g DZ1IIS oxnprising a switch juncture between said guide track and each said tilt track, and said tilt tracks neing at a different level relative to said guide track and having sloping entrance transiion portions connecting With said guide track at each diverting station so as to effect gradual tilting of successive slats.

7. In a sorting conveyor sys-tern, an endless belt com pl'ising means prov.iding a plurality cf slats individually tiltable t0 eile-et sliding ol'f of parcels carried 0n a plurality of slats, each 0f said slats being supported 011 a post, a carriage for each slat and the respective post being pivotally carried thereby, said carriages being articulated, each car-riage having support roll-ersand track rneans 0n which said support rollers move, a sprocket wheel drive at one end of said belt having spaced sp1ocket wheels providecl witl1 peripheral notches to engage said rollers for eflecting drive of said belt, each of said posts being disposed in a guide track to normally maintain 1evel osition 0f said slats, at least one divertlng station along tl1e length of said belt, 21 tilt track extending alongs.ide of said guide tra-ck and spaced Vertically and horizontally with respect thereto and having a slanting transition entrance portion disposed at said station and said entrance portion being disposed adjacent said guide track to forrn a switch junction, a tracl switch disposed at said junction actuatable to shift said post from said guide track to said tilt track to thereby eifect tilting of said slats, said tilt track having a transitio-n exit portion slanting toward said guide track an d merging therewitn whereby said posts are shifted thereinto for effecting levelling of said slats, ancl said guide track h.aving a curved portion intermediate the sprocket wheels and substantially concentric therewith whereby said posts are guicled around the center of rotation of said sprocket wheels when said slats are moving from an upper t0 a lower flight of said belt.

3. In a sorting conveyor, means providing a plurality of articulated members in the form Of a continuous belt with said members being mounted for individual tilting in respective planes generally transverse to the direction of movernent of said belt, means for progressively tilting said members from a co-planar initial condition commencing with a first rnember at a predeterrnined position along the path of travel of said belt whereby all members following said first mernber are tilted in the same direction and each n1ernber in turn is gradually tilted from the time it reaches said predetermined position to the time at Which it is fully tilted and whereby said tilting is ope'rative to cause an article carried on said mernbers to slide ofl in the direction of tilt by progressive gravitational forces acting thereon, eacl1 of said rnembers carried on a post, means for mounting said posts for pivotal movement in respective transverse planes, a guide track and said posts being disposed to be guided thereby f0r maintaining an initial osition of said members, a tilt track spaced frorn said guide track and extending along a predetermined length thereof and having a gradual sloping entrance portion merging with said guide track at a switch junction for shift of said posts from said guide track to said tilt track, and a switch device disposed at said junction and being actuatable to switch said posts from said guide track to said entrance portiom to thereby eflect gradual tilt of said members.

9. In a sorting conveyor as set forth in claim 8, said tilt track comprising a channel having side fianges disposed at an angle to the plane of said conveyor.

w. In a sorting conveyor as set forth in claim 8, said tilt track having an exit portion slanting toward said guide track and merging therewith, whereby said posts are shifted thereinto to effect tl1e co-planar initial condition of said members.

H. A continuous conveyor comprised 0f means providing a plurality of articulated carriage members pivotally joined to each other, support posts carried by said carriage mernbers and being pivotally mounted thereon so as to pivot in lanes transverse to the direction cf movement of said conveyor, load support members cmried by said posts and secured thereto so as be tilted when said posts are undergoing pivotal actuation, a guide track disposed between upper and lower flights of said conveyor, said posts being engaged with said gnide track to retain said load support members in level position, a tilt track extending alongside said guide track and displaced vertically therefrom, an entrance transition track section joi ning said guide and tilt tracks, and a switch device for effecting shifting cf said posts from guidance in said guide track to guidance in said tilt track whereby tilting of said load support mernbers is efl?ected.

12. A continuous conveyor as set forth in claim 11, said guide track comprising a continuous structure having upper and lower flights joined by arcuate portions adjacent the ends of said conveyor, and said tilt track extencling alongside said upper flight.

13. A eontinuous conveyor as set forth in claim 12, a rotary support element at each end of said conveyor, and the arcuate portions of said guide track being substantially concentric therewith.

14. A continuous conveyor as set forth in claim 13, an additional transition track section joining said guide and tilt tracks and disposed adjacent an end of said conveyor and operative to guide said support posts from said tilt track to said guide track.

15. A moveable conveyor belt comprising means providing a series of individually tiltable articulated carrier mernbers each of which has a dimension in the direction of movement of said belt which is less than the expected corresponding dimension of articles carried on said belt so that articles are supported 011 a successive plurality of said carrier members, and means comprising mechanism for effecting successive individual tilting of each of said carrier members to a gradually increasing degree, said mechanism having an element slopingly disposed at a predetermined location along the length of said belt, guide means, said carrier members each having a device engageable With said guide rneans and shiftable to engage said element to effect gradual tilting out of the plane of said belt up to a maximurn degree, whereby articles are caused to be removed from said belt by progressive gravitational force, said carrier mernbers being spaced relative to said element in the direction of belt travel so as to effect sequential tilting of at least two of said carrier members simultaneously at all tirnes throughout the extent of said plurality of carrier members, and actuating means subject to operator control for optionally actuating said devices into engagement with said element at said predetermined location.

16. A moveable conveyor belt as set forth in claim 15, and a secondary conveyor means located adjacent said predetermined location to receive articles removed fron1 said moveable conveyor belt.

17. A conveyor systern having operalior programrning means and comprising a series of articulated slats effecting a belt for carrying articles spaced from each other in the direction of belt movement, means for maintaining said slats in a normally level position during the course of movement of said belt, a plurality of diverter stations disposed along said belt and respective actuating means at each such station operative 10 tilt said slats successively as said belt rnoves therepast in order to discharge articles at any selected station responsive to operator programming, control means responsive to operator programming for setting said actuating means to eflFect slat tilting at any selected station responsive to sensing the leading edge of an article to be discharged thereat so that When slats commence tilting at said selected Station all slats passing said station are tilted by the respective actuating means regardless of the length of the article discharged at said station, said control means having elements to reset the actuating means at any such selected station responsive t0 sensing the leading edge of a subsequent spaced article on said belt whereby the number of slats tilted in the discharge of an article is a function of the distanoe between the leading edge cf that article and the leading edge of the subsequent article.

References Cite E1sy the Examiner UNITED STAT ES PATENTS 1270001 6/1918 Beos 198-137 1,769348 6/1930 Krummel 198137 2623651 12/ 1952 Vial. 2978,092 4/1961 Phillips 19878 3147845 9/ 1964 Harrison 19838 3152681 10/1964 Byrnes 198-38 FOREIGN PATENTS 547,931 6/1956 Belgium. 27,198 2/ 1955 Finland. 897,5 83 5/ 1962 Great Britain.

References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 1868894 7/1932 Glahn. 2,717086 9/1955 Bush. 2868394 1/ 1959 Greller. 2984,366 5/ 1961 Greller.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

ERNEST A. FALLER, Examiner. 

1. IN A STORING CONVEYOR SYSTEM, AN ENDLESS BELT COMPRISING MEANS PROVIDING A PLURALITY OF SLATS INDIVIDUALLY TILTABLE TO EFFECT SLIDING OFF OF PARCELS CARRIED ON A PLURALITY OF SLATS, EACH OF SAID SLATS BEING SUPPORTED ON A POST, A CARRIAGE FOR EACH SLAT AND THE RESPECTIVE POST BEING PIVOTALLY CARRIED THEREBY, SAID CARRIAGES BEING ARTICULATED, EACH CARRIAGE HAVING SUPPORT ROLLERS, AND TRACK MEANS ON WHICH SAID SUPPORT ROLLERS MOVE, A SPROCKET WHEELS PROVIDED END OF SAID BELT HAVING SPCED SPROCKET WHEELS PROVIDED WITH PERIPHERAL NOTCHES TO ENGAGE SID ROLLERS FOR EFFECTING DRIVE OF SAID BELT, ONE END OF EACH OF SAID POSTS BEING DISPOSED IN A GUIDE TRACK TO NORMALLY MAINTAIN LEVEL POSITION OF SAID SLATS, AT LEAST ONE DIVERTING STATION ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAID BELT, A TILT TRACK EXTENDING ALONGSIDE OF SAID GUIDE TRACK AND SPACED VERTICALLY AND HORIZONTALLY WITH RESPECT THERETO AND HAVING AN UPWARDLY RISING ENTRANCE PORTION DISPOSED AT SAID STATION AND SAID ENTRANCE PORTION BEING DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID GUIDE TRACK TO FORM A SWITCH JUNCTION, A TRACK SWITCH DISPOSED AT SAID JUNCTION ACTUATABLE TO SHIFT SAID POSTS FROM SAID GUIDE TRACK TO SAID TILT TRACK TO THEREBY EFFECT TILT OF SAID SLATS, SAID TILT TRACK HAVING AN EXIT PORTION SLANTING DOWNWARDLY TOWARD SAID GUIDE TRACK AND MERGING THEREWITH WHEREBY SAID POSTS ARE SHIFTED THEREINTO FOR EFFECTING LEVELLING OF SAID SLATS, SAID GUIDE TRACK HAVING A CURVED PORTION INTERMEDIATE THE SPROCKET WHEELS AND SUBSTANTIALLY CONCENTRIC THEREWITH WHEREBY SAID POSTS ARE GUIDED AROUND THE CENTER OF ROTATION OF SAID SPROCKET WHEELS WHEND SAID SLATS ARE MOVING FROM AN UPPER TO A LOWER FLIGHT OF SAID BELT. 